How to Remove a Built in Oven

Kimberly Ripley Updated February 21, 2017

If you're ready for a kitchen upgrade, you may have decided to do some of the initial work to save money. You'll remove cabinet doors and relocate appliances so flooring can be installed. You may also be responsible to remove your built in oven from the wall. It's not as hard as it seems. A little know-how and a bit of muscle will help the job go smoothly.

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Pry any wood moulding from around the oven using the back of a hammer or a small crow bar. Slip the hammer end or edge of the crowbar gently underneath the wood where it meets the wall. Pry in short, easy motions for minimal damage to the wood. Use the back of the hammer to remove any remaining nails. Insert the head of the nail into the slot on the back of the hammer and pull gently but firmly. Cut the power to the oven by flipping the proper switch in your fuse box. If you aren't sure which switch to shut off, consult a professional or someone familiar with fuse boxes.

For questions about electrical safety, refer to a booklet provided by the U.S. Government for home safety. A link to its download is available in our Resources section.

Set up a saw horse or 5 gallon pails a couple of feet in front of the oven. You will need these for resting the oven on once you have pulled it from the wall. Check for screws or bolts that may be holding the oven in, and remove these first. Pry the oven carefully so as not to damage the surface or the walls. Use a rocking motion to shimmy the oven back and forth while pulling in a forward motion.

Set the oven on the saw horse or buckets by balancing it carefully on the option you choose. Unplug the oven. This is likely to be a 220 outlet, and you may want to remove the outlet as well. If you opt to remove the outlet, cover the ends of any remaining wires with electrical tape to prevent a fire. Remove the outlet cover by simply unscrewing it, and the take out the box by removing the screw that holds the wires in place. You may thread the wires back through the wall to the area from where they were first run.

Sweep out any dust and debris that may have settled inside the wall cavity where the oven was situated. If replacing the oven, leave the wiring intact and check dimensions of the new oven that will fill the hole.

Place the old oven out of the way of children, as the back and sides may contain sharp metal pieces needed for installation, but that may be harmful if rubbed against.

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Things You'll Need

Sawhorse or two 5-gallon plastic pails

Electrical tape

Hammer or crow bar

Screwdriver

Resources

About the Author

Kimberly Ripley is a freelance writer and published author from Portsmouth, N.H. She has authored five books and hundreds of articles and short stories. Her work has appeared various publications, including "Parenting," "Writer’s Digest," "Vacations" and "Discovery Travel." She studied at the University of Maine and later pursued her writing studies through numerous classes and workshops.